The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas · Page 23

Page 23 article text (OCR)

THE SALINA JOURNAL SPORTS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1997 CB t-'COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY? GAMES Wiiiless Wesleyan, Tabor battle today Standings North Division Conference Overall Kansas Kansas State Nebraska Colorado Missouri Iowa State W 1 0 0 0 0 0 W 3 3 3 2 2 0 South Division Conference Overall Oklahoma State Texas A&M Texas Oklahoma Baylor Texas Tech Today's Games Texas Tech at Baylor, 1 p.m.; Oklahoma at Kansas, 1 p.m.; Iowa State at Missouri, 1 p.m.; Kansas State at Nebraska, 6 p.m.; Texas at Oklahoma State, 6 p.m.; Texas A&M at Colorado, 6 p.m. Texas (2-1) at Oklahoma State (4-0) •Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. ,^Vit\ere: Lewis Field, Stlllwater, Okla. '-Television: Big 12 regional syndicated telecast ' The series: Texas has captured 10 of its 11 meetings with the Cowboys and won 71-14 at Austin on national television (Fox Sports) last season. The teams: Both crews have swift backs and can gain large portions of real estate in the running game. OSU has ample momentum from five consecutive wins, dating back .to a 38-17 verdict over Baylor in Stillwater to conclude < 1996. Texas seeks to maintain ball control after utilizing this aspect last week in a regionally televised (ABC) 38-31 victory over Rice in Houston. Key Individuals: UT's standout junior RB Ricky Williams , (60 carries, 440 rushing yards, eight TDs) is a scoring threat from any stripe while QB James Brown (17-of-30 passing for 222 yards) is gaining strength again after an ankle injury. CB Tony Holmes (one pass pilfer) seeks to lead secondary improvement. OSU's QB Tony Lindsay (23- of-35 passing for 302 yards, 65.7 percent success rate) has been a key cog in balance on offense. DT Jamal Williams (four sacks) heads a stingy defensive front while DB R.W. McQuarters (18 punt returns for 273 yards, three for 129 , yards against Northeast Louisiana) helps a much-improved ' defensive backfield. .. Incidentally: Texas' 71-point tally in 1996 topped a 54-6 Longhoms' triumph in 1946 for a series record between •OSU and UT in single team scoring. Oklahoma State is 3-0 I .at home since Nov., 1996, and plays the third of five consecutive contests at Lewis Field this weekend. Iowa State (0-4) at Missouri (2-2) Kickoff: 1 p.m. , Where: Memorial Stadium/Faurot.Field, Columbia, Mo. The series: Missouri commands a 51-29-9 lead over the "Cyclones as the teams approach their historic, 90th meeting since 1896. Missouri is 6-4 in the last 10 games against Iowa State and holds a 25-14-6 edge in Columbia. . The teams: Iowa State again demonstrated its ability to amass quick points in 5329 and 63-20 losses to Minnesota and Iowa, respectively, from the Big Ten in its last two games before a Sept. 27 open date. The Tigers also ran into a Big Ten juggernaut in Ohio State last week but feature one of the nation's top option running attacks, •iast year's 76-point display •included 696 rushing yards ; between the schools. ,: Key individuals: Cy^clones' QB Todd Band- '.ihauer (80-of-148 passing vfqr 1,152 yards, nine TDs) leads the Big 12 in all four ...aerial categories and looks >to. VVRs Tyrone Watley (23 batches, 405 yards) and Ed .Williams (21 .grabs, 350 .'•yards) for support. The .Tigers counter with all-time 'school rushing leader Brock Olivo (2,616 yards since 1994, 268 in '97) and •.junior WR Eddie Brooks •'(eight receptions, 83 yards). LB Barry Odom (eight tackles, pass interception vs. Tulsa) is a steady defender against the run and the pass. '"•Incidentally: All 89 games in the ISU-Missouri series ,.have been played in Columbia or in Ames. ISU linebacker Dave Brcka is the first sophomore co-captain for the Cyclones' in 104 years. ISU had a series-best winning streak oj.five games against the Tigers from 1988-92. Missouri is in the midst of playing three games in four weeks at Faurot Field. That's broken by an Oct. 11 trip to Kansas State. Texas A&M (3-0) at Colorado (2-1) Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Where: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo. Television: ABC regional telecast The series: This Is just the third meeting of these 1980s -end 1990s national powerhouses, and both have been in national rankings in each appearance. Colorado leads 2-0 and won 29-21 at Boulder in 1995 and 24-10 at College Station In 1996. The teams: Texas A&M has its toughest test to date after 'allowing just 16 points to its first three opponents-Sam Houston State, Southwestern Louisiana and North Texas. •'The Aggies represent Colorado's fourth successive opponent which has received at least votes in one or more Top -25 polls in 1997 national surveys. A&M utilizes a punishing 'running attack in '97 while the Buffaloes look to throw. , _Key Individuals: Aggies' KS Kyle Bryant (47-of-69 career .field goals) had a skein of nine consecutive field goals broken by a 50-yarder that hit the right upright against North ,Jexas last week.' RB Dante Hall (39 carries, 365 yards, 9.4 yards per rush) and LB Dat Nguyen (10.3 career tackles .per game-second in A&M history) provide great talent, .puffs' DL Ryan Olson (14.5 career sacks, 11th on Colorado's career list) teams with LB Ron Merkerson (12 tack- Jes, 33-yard fumble return to se.t up winning field goal Against Wyoming) as rugged defenders. RB Herchell Trout- 'man (2,042 career yards, 2,970 all-purpose yards) has just 'five fumbles In 533 all-time carries. Incidentally: Colorado and Nebraska are the only two teams to down the Washington Huskies in UW's last 11 contests. Former Kansas defensive coordinator (coming to A&M prior to '97) Mike Hankwltz is credited with the Ag- glf s' rise back to fifth nationally in total defense at 237.3 yatfJs per game. The Buffaloes allow just 118.3 yards rushing per game for sixth In the Big 12 and 38th place in NCAA I-A. Texas Tech (1-2) at Baylor (1-2) "Kickoff: 6 p.m. ' Where: Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, Texas ' The series: Dating back to 1929, this rivalry belongs to Baylor 32-22 : 1 as the teams meet for the 56th time. They have played continuously since 1956, and Tech captured 'ra'st year's meeting 45-24 in Lubbock. The home crew has won every time since a 31-24 Tech win at Waco in 1991, ,'Th'e teams: Both squads have met Top 10 opposition '(Baylor at Michigan, Texas Tech at Tennessee) and should be ready for the challenges of Big 12 contests. The Red Haiders exploded for 86 points in their last two games while 'Ihe Bears rallied for a 37-35 verdict at Fresno State. Having jaivopen date may also help heal up some wounds for the Red Raiders and Bears. Key individuals: Raiders' QB Zebble Lethridge (five TDs 'Accounted for in one half against Southwestern Louisiana) 'is'6,7-of-96 passing for 649 yards and four TQs) and seeks 'to 1 ' become the first Tech QB to start four consecutive bowl games. WR Donnie Hart (21 catches for 342 yards, two TDs) leads the Big 12 with seven grabs per game. DL Mon- Jae Reager (four sacks) aids the pass rush. Baylor's multi- tiered attack rides on rushers such as RB Jerod Douglas ,(Sp'carries, 189 yards) and FB Anthony Overstreet (20 carries, 142 yards). RB Elijah Burkina (six kickoff returns, 132 yards) is a threat to break a long one. Incidentally: Baylor and Texas Tech tied for first in the '1994 Southwest Conference race, and the Raiders made ''(heir first Cotton Bowl appearance in 56 years in 1995. The Bears' most notable mantor (1972-92) has been current American Football Coaches' Association Executive Director Grant Teaff. Dykes is facing his third opposing coach for the Bears since the 1987 campaign. —The Associated Press Dallas says Coyotes need to put 'whole game plan together' against Bluejays By BOB DAVIDSON The Salina Journal MILLSBORO — After three losses to open the season, Kansas Wesleyan football coach Dave Dallas knows the exact cure for what ails his young team. A victory. Tabor coach Dan Thiessen can easily say the same thing. Wesleyan, 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the Kansas Conference, plays winless Tabor (0-3, 0-2) in a 1:30 p.m. today in a Kansas Conference game. Turnovers proved costly for the Coyotes in last week's 44-13 loss to Southwestern at Martin Stadium. Tabor lost at Sterling 23-16 last Saturday and fell to Southwestern 34-0 two weeks ago. The Coyotes face a victory-starved team in Tabor. The Bluejays have lost 24 games in a row dating back to Nov. 5, 1994 when they defeated McPherson 1413 in their next to the last game of the season. Dallas hopes the skid doesn't end today, but says his team faces a tough task against the improving Bluejays. "Tabor has a better team. We're going to have to play well and play hungry," he said. "We can't let them get^a lead and have to play catchup like we did last week. We have to wear them out." Despite its record, Tabor does appear to be improved thanks to a solid running attack led by freshman running back Mike Sanders. Sanders is second in rushing in the KCAC with 316 yards. He was held to 21 yards by Sterling, but scored two touchdowns, the second on a 45-yard pass from quarterback Drew Williamson. "He's a shifty back," Dallas said. "He likes to break to the outside." Tabor is second in rushing offense in the KCAC (180.5 yards per game), but eighth in passing (48.5 yards). Williamson has completed just 29.6 percent of his passes this season, but was 12 of 21 for 164 yards last season. The Bluejays' defense is giving up an average of 324 yards per game compared to the Coyotes' 390-yard average. But Dallas sees another possible avenue for success. "We've got to take advantage of the special teams," he said. "They've had some trouble there. They like to do all kinds of crazy stuff, like pooch kicks and on-sides kicks. "We need to put the whole game plan together." Dallas will start Ricky Moss at tailback, Ashley Williamson at fullback and Levi Kramer at quarterback. Ju- nior John Larkin will also play tailback. "Ricky's run the ball better this week (in practice) than ever before," Dallas said. "We can't leave the ball on the ground like we did last week (four fumbles lost). We can't give them opportunities like that." Wesleyan's offensive line regained one and lost one this week, Dallas said. Junior tackle Chris Taylor, who suffered a knee injury against Doane, will start. The 300-pound Taylor was a key player in the Coyotes' line before the injury. Meanwhile, tackle Sam Herrera has left the squad. Herrera, a 375-pound junior, was a returning letter-winner arid had replaced Taylor in the lineup. Senior safety Trevis Ickler will miss the remainder of the season after re-injuring his knee in practice last week, according to Dallas. Ickler may qualify for redshirt status. Indians / Forced fumble contributes to comeback FROM PAGE C1 to be doing. South likes to move around a lot on defense and we got caught up trying to figure out where they were. "But once we decided to fire off the ball, we were able to get on a roll." And no one was on a better roll than Manhattan tailback Kelvin Jones. The 5-foot-8, 186-pound senior entered the game averaging more than 170 yards per contest, but the Cougars (3-2, 2-2) limited Jones to just eight yards in the first quarter. . Jones redeemed himself the remainder of the contest, however, following an inspired offensive line for a game-high 228 yards and four touchdowns on only 20 carries. The Manhattan running back answered South's early scores with two second-quarter touchdown runs of 28 and 1 yards. The second came with 3:02 remaining in the half and followed a big turn of events just moments earlier. '. With South leading 14-6, Rominger dropped back to pass when Jones, from his outside linebacker position, jarred the ball loose with a vicious hit on Rominger. Jake Barth recovered for Manhattan at the South 30-yard line, and three plays later, Jones scored to tie the score at 14. "If there was one play that changed anything, it was probably that hit," Lane said. "After falling behind early like we did, and then to be able to tie it before halftime made a world of difference." Stonebraker said the Cougars' armor might have been chinked earlier. "Yeah, (the fumble) was a big play, but I think the momentum turned before that," the South coach said. "On the drive for their first touchdown, you could just tell that Manhattan was beginning to win the battle up front. And from that point on, Manhattan just dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball." Jones gave Manhattan its first lead with a 69-yard scamper on the Indians' second play of the third quarter. He then capped his huge night with a fourth touchdown — a 1- yard run — with 9:35 remaining in the game. "Calvin ran the ball well. He was patient and ran hard," Lane said. "But I don't care how good the back is, if your offensive line doesn't come off the ball you aren't going anywhere. And that was as good as the offensive line and defense have played all year." Meanwhile, South's offense did not penetrate the Manhattan 40-yard line the final three quarters. BRIEFLY , KU Relays will not be held next year due to renovation LAWRENCE — The Kansas Relays, stopped only once before in 78 years by war, will not be held next spring because ' of the extensive renovation of Memorial Stadium, athletic director Bob Frederick said Friday. The only other time the Relays were not held since their beginning in 1923 was between 1943-45 because of World War II. "The University of Kansas is extremely proud of the tradition of the Kansas Relays," Frederick said. "After a thorough investigation of the challenges which the stadium construction will present, we believe it to be in the best interest of the Relays and our track and field program to suspend the Relays for 1998." Pierce's status after junior season remains uncertain LAWRENCE — Paul Pierce may be close to his dream of entering the NBA draft — an idea he considered last year — but how close only he can answer. "There were days when I saw myself leaving school early and going to the NBA," Pierce said of last season when he averaged 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds with Kansas. "I knew I was close" to my dream, and I felt I was good enough to play in the NBA." Now, as a junior, the 6-foot-7 forward faces another season and another decision, amid speculation that this season could be his last with the Jayhawks. "I don't think people should assume that," he said. "Only I know what I want to do, and right now, it's something I haven't thought about a lot." Pierce avoided the draft last season to get another year of college and to improve his prospects as a lottery pick. Most pro- jections placed him as a mid-to-late pick in the first round. He also wanted one more shot at the NCAA title. "That did play a role," he said. "I knew with the (roster) additions and the players coming back, that we would have a shot. That's another dream of mine." Annual Salina Cup starts today at Salina Country Club The annual Salina Cup Golf Tournament, an event matching teams from each of Salina's three courses in a Ryder Cup- type format, will be played this weekend at Salina Country Club. The two-day event begins with two rounds today —12 foursome (alternate shot) matches in the morning, and 12 four ball matches in the afternoon. Play continues Sunday morning when all 48 participants compete in singles matches. Teams are made up of 16 players from each club, with eight designated players competing in the scratch division and the other eight in the handicap division, A total of 48 points will be awarded (one for each match) but the most any one team can win is 32 points. A total of 24% points would clinch the title, but the winning team usually has slightly less than that figure. Last year's event finished in a tie when both Salina Country Club and Elks Country Club collected 18 points. ECC was awarded the team title when the tie was broken through head-to-head competition (Elks 8Vi, SCC 7Vi). Salina Municipal won its last title in 1995, while the SCC team is attempting to win for the first time since 1991. Pairings for today and Sunday's matches are in today's Scoreboard, page C2. From Staff and Wire Reports Bethany looks to rebound on road After loss to Ottawa, Swedes play county rival McPherson By BOB DAVIDSON The Salina Journal Bethany coach Ted Kessinger thinks he might have found the solutions to a couple of problems that led to last Saturday's stunning loss to Ottawa in the Swedes' Kansas Conference opener. He'll find out for sure tonight when Bethany plays county rival McPherson at 7 p.m., in McPherson. Ottawa shocked the Swedes 43-35 last Saturday in a game at Lindsborg, dropping them to 11 on the year. The Braves rolled up 502 yards of offense, including running back Tyler Griffin's 202 yards rushing. Quarterback Ryan Ficken threw for 245 yards. The Braves used two trap plays to chew up big yardage against Bethany's new attack- style defense. But Kessinger says the necessary adjustments have been made. "It's a hard penetrating -type of defense that leaves you vulnerable to the trap unless you operate under a technique we weren't aware of," Kessinger said. "We contacted our contact who told us of a technique we need to use but didn't know about. Had we used it we would have been able to stop their middle and outside trap." Kessinger also has juggled his offensive line, moving two in two and possibly three new starters. Ottawa defenders knocked down quarterback Jason Hooper 26 times. "When you put 35 points on the board, you should win," Kessinger said. "We weren't as sharp as we needed to be offensively and defensively. We need to do a better job with our interior linemen. "When your quarterback gets knocked down 26 times, that's not good. McPherson is 2-1 overall, 1-1 in the KCAC after last week's 34-19 loss to Bethel. The Bulldogs trailed 31-0 at halftime after committing six first-half turnovers, but outscored the Threshers 19-3 in the second half. Kessinger expects the Bulldogs to use their three-back formation offensively, but has no idea what to expect defensively. "We've looked at 60 different fronts. We have no idea what they call that defense and no clue what they'll do. They're a very physical and solid team." McPherson is led by running backs A. J. Wilson and Tony Upshaw. Coach Bruce Grose uses two freshmen quarterbacks — Craig Ramsey and Jason . Franklin. "We assume they'll use the three-back alignment and try to stick it down our throats," Kessinger said. Kessinger said the Swedes have several players battling injuries. Defensive end Dean Calhoun will miss tonight's game and tight end Travis Sabadin is questionable. Free safety Jon Hooper will play , with a soft cast on his hand and • • Jason Hooper will play despite a sore right hand. ,,! Fort Hays State (1-3, 0-1) at Mesa State (2-2,1-1) Having tasted victory for the first time this season last week, the Fort Hays State Tigers hope to make winning a steady diet. The Tigers travel to Grand Junction, Colo., tonight to play Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Mesa State. Kickoff is 8 p.m. (CDT). Fort Hays demolished Wayne State, Neb., 62-12 last Saturday in Hays for its first victory in 1997. Running back Donald Gregory was named co-RMAC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 234 yards on 38 carries and three touchdowns in the game. Running back Terry Blassingame added 147 yards rushing. Sophomore quarterback J.J. Selmon made his first colle-- giate start and completed 5 of 11 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns and ran for one TD. The Tigers totaled 584 yards total offense, including 443 rushing. The defense held Wayne '. State's potent offense to 124 total yards, forced three fumbles and intercepted a pass. Mesa State notched its first RMAC victory of the year last Saturday with a 46-30 victory at Adams State. The Mavericks rolled up 563 yards total offense, led by quarterback Josh Penry. Penry shared RMAC offensive honors with Gregory by completing 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 131 yards on 23 carries. Mesa had 563 yards total offense — 407 rushing — against Adams State. Penry is sixth in passing efficiency in NCAA Division II and is averaging 252:3 yards per game. He's 10th in total offense. Wide receiver Ky Oday caught six passes for 93 yards. The Salina Journal Sports Staff Weekly football game predictions from the Salina Journal sports staff: BECHARD RAVIBSQN GREEN MORITZ PALENSKE BAY Kansas State at Nebraska Nebraska Oklahoma at Kansas Kansas Iowa at Ohio State Ohio State Iowa State at Missouri Missouri Texas at Oklahoma State Texas Texas A&M at Colorado Colorado Arizona State at Washington Washington Notre Dame at Stanford Stanford Texas Tech at Baylor Texas Tech Kansas City at Miami Miami Last week 9-1 (.900) Nebraska Oklahoma Ohio state Nebraska Kansas Ohio State Nebraska QWahpma Missouri Texas Texas MM Wa8.Wn0.tan, Stanford^ .. Texas .Tech^ Miami 7-3 (.7QQ) Missouri Oklahoma State Colorado Washington Stanford Baylor Kansas City 9-1 (.900) Missouri Texas Colorado Washington Notre Dame Baylor 9-1 (-900) Nebraska Oklahoma Iowa Missouri Texas Colorado Washington Notre Dame Baylor Miami 9-1 (.900) Nebraska Oklahoma Ohio State Missouri Texas. i Colorado Washington Stanford Baylor , Miami 9-1 (.900) Nebraska Oklahoma Ohio State Missouri Oklahoma State Colorado Washington Stanford Texas Tech Miami 9-1 (.900) Season's standings 27-13 (.675) 25-15 (.625) 29-11 (.725) 26,15 (,§«) 25-15 (.625) JJ7-13 (,676) 26-14 (.650)